Chinese people are increasingly snapping up fine wines from around the globe, especially in Hong Kong which has become an import sourcing hub for mainland consumers, according to American wine auction house Acker Merrall & Condit.

“The Chinese buyers are now the most important segment of clients for us,” said Acker Merrall’s chairman, John Kapon, during an interview in Hong Kong ahead of one of the company’s wine auctions.

The city has in recent years become one of the two most important wine auction markets in the world, along with New York, according to the company. Acker Merrall has sold almost half a million bottles of fine wine in Hong Kong over the years, of which around 90,000 bottles went to mainland customers.

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